Speedometer



Nov. 22, 1927.

Y A. H. JOSEPH SPEEDOMETFRr Filed July 9. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'MW/MM@ Nov. r22, 1927.v

A. H. JOSEPH sPrJxzDolvxETERv Filed July 9, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet2 tially on line Q of Fig. 1;

Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

ALJrn'rsD STATES .rr-JOSEPH, on DETROIT, MICHIGAN, kAssIGNoR 'ro TIIE MILI-Iomnrnn ooisr- ARTHUR Fanion CHICAGO, ILLINoIs,

y 1,649,830 PATENT OFFICE.)

A ,CORPORATON` OF ILLINOIS.

Ys:aanDoMIinuzR.

applicati@ ined July 9,k

My invention relatesto that general class of devices employed for measuring and in'- dicating speed and distances covered by vehicles, and has among its objectsthe production of a device ofthe kind described, which is simple, convenient, neatland attractive in appearance, compact, durable, reli-v able, accurate, eilicientand satisfactoryfor use wherever found applicable.

VMany other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown-and described will be obviousvto those skilled in the art from the disclosures herein given.' Y

To this end my 4invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts Vvherein shownfand described, and. more particularly pointed out 'in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein likeV reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts: l

Fig. l is a sectional View taken through my device;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view Vtaken substan Fig. 3 is a sectional viewvtaken substantially 0n line of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken substalle. tially on line 1M-4 of Fig. lj

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the speed-inf dicating dial moved to a different position than that shown in Fig. 2';

Fig. 6 isa sectional view taken tially on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of the calibrating device. Y

Referring to the drawings, it may be mentioned that in the preferred constructioml provide a casing of suitable size,shape and material, comprising a hollow part 1 having a suitable covering or face plate 2 preferably removably secured thereto and provided with openings y3 through Ywhichthe indicat-L ing and recording mechanism sarev displayed. A glass plate 4L, or the equivalent, may cover the openings 3. The speed is indicatedon-a dial 5 of an indicator wheel, preferably conical in shape, and the totalmileage .isy indi'- cated on the odometer wheels or discs 6. The casing may have its surfaces formed for attachment to cooperating devices, as for instance route-indicating mechanisms, if so desired.

Arranged at an angle within the casing 1 substan-v and preferably projecting therefrom is a 192.3. serriaifNo. 650,436.

drive shaft 16, arranged to be attached to a vehicle drive shaft connected to one of the moving parts of the vehicle *(not. shown); A frame/Tis removably arranged in the casing and provides bearings for the endsofthe shaft 16 and carries a stationaryfannularly fianged member 8 at its upper end.

A fan or impeller 9 isarranged at the innerend of the shaft k16k so `as-'to rotate there-l with, the outer ends ofthe impeller blades. being arranged adJacent the angedperiphery'of the part-,8, as 'shown in the drawinrs.

is made up of a seriesof spaced vanes, preferably'struck yup from the material 'of the dialY and having openings between adjacent.

f. varies and through whichthe fluid'impelledk bythe fan 9 is directed.

It' will be apparentthatv inasmuch as the indicator is freely rotatable, the air vdirected by the fan will cause a rotation vof the indicator dial. In order toV limit the rotational movement of the indicator, anelon- Vgated opening 13- is provided therethrough andy in which a stationary bar 14 projectsvto engage the ends of the opening, as 'shown more'particularlyin Fig. 2. The blades of the -fan 9 extend at approximately GOdegrees to a plane transversely perpendicular to their rotational axes, and

'the angle of attack of these blades are alsoV arranged about yapproximately degrees." The first-mentioned. angle, which determines thevangle of the 'discharge of air from the fan, has. been found to give the most efficiency' because it discharges the air in the angle nof its natural'course of flow, as it seems that air travels at said angle after `itleaves the blade, regardless of the fixed shape" or angle of the blade. This is believed to be due to the centrifugal action of the air caused by the blades. By so shaping the blades that the air is discharged in the angle Vof its natural course, the velocity and volume of air cator will not be Vibratory, but will be steady and accurate at all times and in order to retrieve the indicatorto a zero-position whenever tlie vehicle is at rest, I have arranged a leaf spring 15 connected at one end to a fixed or stationary part 21, the other end of said spring vbeing free and engageable with the camsurface lof the cam 12. `If desired, an anti-friction member 15 may be arranged at the end of the spring 15 so as to decrease the wear between the spring and the cam.

The free end of the spring 15 is substantially yat the rotational axis of the indicator when the vehicle is at rest and the camis so positioned that there will be but a small amount of friction between the cam and the spring at the low speeds, the thrust lbetween said parts increasing asfthe speed increases a and as the cam moves the spring outwardly.

In order to adjust the spring and calibrate the indicator, fingers 22 or the like are arranged to be carried by the stationary part of the device andV engage the spring atV various points as the spring `moves out wardly.l l

The frame 7 carries a rotatable shaft 23 upon which the odometer wheels 6 are positioned. A shaft 24 is arranged at another part of the frame substantially parallel to the shaft 23 and carrying a gear 25 adapted to intermesh with the worm of the drive shaft 16. A gear 26 is carried by the shaft 24 and meshes with a gear 27, which, in turn, drives a gear 28 meshing with a gear 29 carried by the shaft 23 of the odometer wheels l6.

It will be noted that the dial member 5 is substantially in the shape of a frustrum of al cone at the face; that is, the face is at an angle to the axis of rotation, and the drive Vshaft 16 is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees to the plate 2 so that the point of in dication on the dial, or the exposed face of the dial, is substantially parallel with the fac-'e of the casing. This ltends to permit a more compact construction as well as being the'most convenient one for installation, and eliminates the necessity of using an angle gea-r, while leaving sufficient leg room clearance. y

Having thus` described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from t-he spirit of my invention;'

hence I do n'ot wish to be understood'as limiting myself to the exact forni, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

for actuating the same, and'means for retarding and retrieving said dial, comprising a leaf spring fixed at. one end and carrying an antifriction member' at its other end arranged substantially at the rotational axis of said dial, and a cam on said dial suitably mountedand constructed to slidably engage with the free 'end of the spring sov as to exert pressure on and distort the spring'i'naccordance with predetermined indicated speeds with the pressure of the spring reactingon the cam and tending constantly to return said dial to zero reading. Y

2. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a drive shaft, speed-indicating means mounted independently thereof and having v'anes thereon, a fan carried by said drive shaft and arranged adjacent said vanes for controlling the operation of said speed-indicating means, and means for re'- tarding and retrieving said dial, said retarding and said retrieving means comprising a leaf spring fixed at one end and carrying an antifriction member atits other Iend arranged substantially at the rotational axis of said speed-indicating means, and a'cam carried by said speed-indicating means Vto slidably yengage with said anti-friction member so as to exert pressure on and distort the spring in accordance with predetermined indicated speeds with the pressure of the spring reacting on thecam and tending constantly to return said dial to zero reading.

3. vIn a device of the character described and in combination, a rotatable speed dial, means for actuating the same, a leaf spring xed at one end, an anti-friction member at the other end of the spring, and a cam on the dial for slidably engaging theV antifriction member so as to exert pressure on and distort the spring in accordance with'predeterinined indicated speeds, with the pressure of the spring reacting on the cam and tending constantly to return saiddial to zero reading.

signed my name.

ARTHUR ii.v Josera. 

